ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Grant of Rs. 1,764 crore released to States for Million Plus Cities/Urban Agglomerations
Total grant of Rs. 4,761.8 crore released to Urban Local Bodies  so far in 2022-23
The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance today released an amount of Rs. 1,764 crore to 4 States for providing grants to Million Plus Cities/Urban Agglomerations. The States to which grants were released today are Andhra Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Maharashtra  and Uttar Pradesh .
The grants released are meant for Million Plus Cities/ Urban Agglomerations  of Vijayawada & Visakhapatnam in the State of Andhra Pradesh, Durg Bhilainagar & Raipur in the State of Chhattisgarh, Aurangabad, Greater Mumbai, Nagpur Nashik, Pune & Vasai-Virar City in the State of Maharashtra and Agra, Allahabad, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut & Varanasi in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
The 15th Finance Commission  in its report for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 has divided the Urban Local Bodies into two categories:  Million-Plus urban agglomerations/cities , and  all other cities and towns with less than one million population . The 15th F.C. has recommended separate grants for them. Out of the total grants recommended by the Commission for Million Plus Cities/ Urban Agglomerations , more than 2/3rd is recommended for Solid Waste Management component and the remaining 1/3rd is allocated for Ambient Air quality.
The 15th F.C. recommended Solid Waste Management grant component of Million Plus Cities Challenge Fund for Million-Plus cities/UAs is intended to be utilized for improving drinking water quality & supply , sanitation and achieving star ratings by the urban local bodies in Solid Waste Management in consonance with the approved City Action Plan  and commitments made in the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding  signed for the purpose.
State wise amount of urban local bodies  grant released to the states in the financial year 2022-23 is given below:
|
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S. No.
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State
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Amount of ULB grant released in FY 2022-23 
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|
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|
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1
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Andhra Pradesh
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293.75
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|
|
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2
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Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
0.00
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|
|
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3
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Assam
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|
0.00
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|
|
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4
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Bihar
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7.35
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|
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5
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Chhattisgarh
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307.20
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|
|
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6
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Goa
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|
0.00
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|
|
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7
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|
Gujarat
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|
20.21
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|
|
|
8
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|
Haryana
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|
77.40
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|
|
|
9
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Himachal Pradesh
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|
78.00
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|
|
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10
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Jharkhand
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11.94
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|
|
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11
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Karnataka
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7.35
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|
|
|
12
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Kerala
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|
256.00
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|
|
|
13
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Madhya Pradesh
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|
314.10
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|
|
|
14
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Maharashtra
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|
840.34
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|
|
|
15
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Manipur
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|
42.50
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|
|
|
16
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Meghalaya
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|
44.00
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|
|
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17
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|
Mizoram
|
|
17.00
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|
|
|
18
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Nagaland
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
19
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|
Orissa
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
20
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|
Punjab
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
11.94
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|
|
|
22
|
|
Sikkim
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|
7.50
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|
|
|
23
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Tamil Nadu
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|
14.70
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|
|
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24
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Telangana
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|
331.40
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|
|
|
25
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Tripura
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21.00
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|
|
|
26
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Uttar Pradesh
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|
1988.07
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|
|
|
27
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Uttarakhand
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|
62.70
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|
|
|
28
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West Bengal
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|
7.35
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|
|
|
|
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Total
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4761.80
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Prime Minister's Office
PM applauds those who are displaying their products on GeM platform
GeM platform crosses Rs. 1 Lakh crore Gross Merchandise value
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has applauded the vendors for displaying their products on GeM platform.
The GeM platform crosses Rs. 1 Lakh crore Gross Merchandise value till 29th November 2022 for the financial year 2022-2023.
In a reply to a tweet by Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal, the Prime Minister tweeted;
"Excellent news! @GeM_India is a game changer when it comes to showcasing India’s entrepreneurial zeal and furthering transparency. I laud all those who are displaying their products on this platform and urge others to do the same."
Special Service and Features
Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan reaches Kochi for a day’s visit
Kochi, January 28, 2022
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Dr. L Murugan reached Kochi for a day’s visit and attended various events here. As part of the visit, the Union Minister met senior officials from various institutes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying and reviewed the progress of various works. Director-General of Fishery Survey of India  Dr. R. K. Jayabhaskaran, Director, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training  Shri A. K Chaudhary, FSI Zonal Director Dr. Sijo Varghese, and other senior officials were present in the meeting held at Government Guest House, Ernakulam.
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Special Service and Features
Union Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar to visit Kerala Tomorrow 
- To felicitate recently nominated Rajya Sabha MP, Olympian PT Usha at an all party programme in Kozhikode
- To also meet Start-ups, Students, Management and Industry leaders
Kozhikode: August 29, 2022
Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar will participate in an all-party meet programme to felicitate the newly nominated Rajya Sabha MP and Olympian Ms P. T. Usha in Kozhikode tomorrow .
Considered Queen of track and field, Ms P T Usha has won over 100 medals and is actively involved in the training of budding athletes in the State. She was recently nominated to the Rajya Sabha in recognition of her accomplishments and her iconic status.
During his one-day visit, the Union Minister will also interact with students, researchers and entrepreneurs as part of the Government’s efforts to strengthen the innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem. For this, he will visit the National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode and then the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology  under the Ministry of Electronics & IT. The Minister will aslo review the progress of activities. He had recently visited the NIELIT and affiliated centres in Tripura, Gujarat, etc.
Shri Chandrasekhar will also meet members of the Malabar Chamber of Commerce and the Calicut Management Association during his day-long visit.
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Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Deendayal Port in Kandla to have an exclusive, mechanized facility for handling fertilizer cargo
The Standing Finance Committee of Ministry of Shipping has cleared a project for setting up an exclusive, fully mechanized handling facility for fertilizer cargo at Deendayal Port in Kandla. The facility will be developed at berth number 14 of the port, which is being constructed at an approximate cost of Rs.138 crore. The port will further invest approximately Rs.340 crore for the project from its internal resources. Initially, the proposed facility will handle 2.60 MMTPA and subsequently this will be raised to 4.50 MMTPA.
In the proposed project all activities, right from unloading of bulk fertilizer cargo from the ships to loading of the bagged fertilizer onto the wagons will be fully mechanized. The fertilizer cargo will be unloaded using Mobile Harbour Cranes onto Mobile Hoppers. The conveyor system, along with the tipper system, will transfer the cargo to the cargo storage shed of 38,500 m2. The storage shed will be equipped with 40 sets of bagging and stitching units which will feed the bagged cargo directly into wagons to reduce labour, movement and will optimize time and as such the logistic cost will come down.
At present, the handling of fertilizer cargo at Deendayal Port involves multiple movements and agencies. The mechanized facility will reduce the same and ensure faster delivery of the cargo to the end users. It will be beneficial to the farmers in terms of cost and faster delivery. For the fertilizer importers, the benefits of the proposed facility will be:
- Efficient operation due to end to end mechanization
- No contamination of fertilizer cargo due to dedicated mechanization and closed PEB Shed
- No internal vehicular movement for transfer of cargo
- Less number of labour required due to mechanization and no multiple handling
- One time transfer through equipment and conveyor
- Mechanized Dust Suppression to avoid dust
- Lower rake turn-around time
- Lower vessel turn-around time
- Lower logistics cost
The tendering work for the project is in progress. The facility is expected to be commissioned by October, 2020.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates all those who have cleared the Civil Services  Examination, 2021
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated all those who have cleared the Civil Services  Examination, 2021.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"Congratulations to all those who have cleared the Civil Services  Examination, 2021. My best wishes to these youngsters who are embarking on their administrative careers at an important time of India’s development journey, when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav."
"I fully understand the disappointment of those who couldn’t clear the Civil Services Exam but I also know that these are outstanding youngsters who will make a mark in any field they pursue and make India proud. My best wishes to them."
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
BIS Launches first series of Lesson Plans under “Learning Science via Standards”
First tranche will focus on daily use items including Cement, Football, Gas Stove, Helmet, LED Bulbs etc.
The Bureau of Indian Standards  launched first series of Lesson Plans under “Learning Science via Standards”. Under this latest initiative, "Learning Science via Standards", Bureau of Indian Standards is preparing a series of lesson plans focused on demonstrating use of scientific concepts, principles and laws to help students understand their practical applications in manufacturing, functioning and testing of quality characteristics of different products as stated in the relevant Indian Standards. The subjects for the lesson plans are largely related to products used in day-to-day life and have been chosen based on their relevance to education as part of the course curriculum as well as to industrial applications. BIS officials and resource personnel will transact the lesson plans to the students as part of the activities under Standards Clubs formed by BIS in various schools and colleges for an interactive learning experience.
Learning science via standards will help young learners develop a scientific temperament at an early stage. Lesson Plans cover a range of subjects, including Caustic Soda, Cement, Football, Gas Stove, Geyser, Helmet, LED Bulbs, LPG Cylinders, Paint, and Pulverized Fuel Ash Cement Bricks. Talking about this unique initiative, Director-General, BIS, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, IAS, said, "The Learning Science via Standards initiative is a step towards bridging the gap between theory and real-life use of science education. It will enable students to relate the concepts of science to their actual applications and also promote a culture of quality and standardization in the country.
The first compilation of 10 Lesson Plans under the BIS initiative was unveiled on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day.
Kochi:April 29, 2022
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, will lay the foundation stone of the proposed Roll-On-Roll-Off  facility at Cochin Port on 30.04.2022.
Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Shri V. Muraleedharan, Union Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs will attend the function.
The Ro-Ro facility, under ‘Sagarmala’ scheme of India Govt., will be developed between Q1 berth & South Coal Berth on the Mattancherry Channel of Cochin Port. It will involve construction of RCC Jetty structure of 615 sq.m. including strengthening of the existing roads leading to this facility and all allied works.
This facility is being developed to promote safe and sustainable transport facilities as part of Green Port initiative of Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. It will promote affordable coastal movement of cargo using Ro-Ro ships and will help in decongesting the roads thereby minimizing accidents. It will also be an engine to promote and facilitate eco-friendly, cost effective mode of transportation.
The new logo for Cochin Port Authority, will also be unveiled during the function to be held in Cochin Shipyard premises on 30.04.2022.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to celebrate ‘Sign Language Day’ tomorrow
Documentary on ‘Indian Sign Language Journey’ to be presented on the occasion
Dr. Virendra Kumar will interact with the winners of the 4th Indian Sign Language Competition, 2021
The New Delhi- basedIndian Sign Language Research and Training Centre , an autonomous body within the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities  under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, will be celebrating ‘Sign Language Day’ tomorrow at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath, New Delhi.
Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar will be the Chief Guest and Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Km. PratimaBhoumik and Shri A. Narayanswami will be the Guests of Honour. Smt. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary, DEPwD, Sh. Santosh Sarangi, Additional Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education and Dr. Prabodh Seth, Joint Secretary, DEPwD& Director, ISLRTC, Sh. V. Gopala Krishnan, General Secretary, All Indian Federation of Deaf will also grace the occasion.
Ever since the United Nations declared 23rd September as the International Sign Language Day, the ISLRTC has celebrated it every year. The objective of the program is to sensitize the general public about the importance of Indian sign languages, and the information and communication accessibility for persons with hearing disabilities. Sign language not only plays an important role in educating people, but also is vital in creating employment and vocational training for persons with hearing disabilities.
During the programme, the Centre will present a documentary on the ‘Indian Sign Language Journey’, and also announce the winners of the 4thIndian Sign Language Competition, 2021 – a national-level competition held for students with hearing disabilities. The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment is also likely to hold live interactions with some of the winners from various parts of India to share their experience.
ISLRTC signed an MoU with National Council of Educational Research and Training  on 06th October, 2020 for converting NCERT textbooks from Class I to XII into Indian Sign Language  to make the textbooks accessible to children with hearing disabilities. First phase of the project for conversion of Class I to V textbooks has been completed and e-Content thereof will be launched during the programme.
MG/RNM
Ministry of Coal
Promotion of Mines Tourism by Coal /Lignite PSUs
In its efforts for going in harmony with the nature, society, forests and wildlife, Ministry of Coal converts suitable mine areas, after exhaustion of reserves, into eco-parks, sites for water sports, underground mine tourism, golf grounds, adventure, bird watching etc. These sites have good potential for recreation, revenue generation and employment for local people.
Mudwani Dam Eco-park, developed by Northern Coalfields Limited in Singrauli and AnanyaVatika Eco-Restoration Park cum Pit Lake developed by South Eastern Coalfields Limited in Dola, both in Madhya Pradesh are unique examples for such initiatives.
Mudwani Dam Eco-park in Singrauli, is spread over an area of 84,000m2and inaugurated during Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2021.It is a peaceful place with natural beauty, yet not far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located in Jayant area, Mudwani Dam Eco-park is developed with beautiful water front, walking pathways, children sports area, restaurants and shops for local products will also be part of this eco-park. A dedicated lake view seating area to relax and comfort has been developed in the park. The spectacular Mudwani Dam Eco-park has average yearly footfall of 25,000. It helps in purification and refinement of ambient air, prevention of soil erosion and ecological development.
Entrance of Mudwani Dam Eco-Park
Walkways in Mudwani Dam Eco-Park
“AnanyaVatika”Eco-Restoration Park cum Pit Lake is developed after reclamation of abandoned OB dump of Sector “D” of Rajnagar Opencast Project of Hasedo Area located in Dola, Madhya Pradesh. There is a pit-lake/water body in the area of 50 Acre and a Garden in the area of 6 Acre. It is one of the best examples of reclamation and sustainable development in Open Cast Mining Project. The park is having various types of fruit bearing/ornamental/herbal plants, which include Mango,Hibiscus, Ornamental Palm, Sweet Lime, Pomegranate, Pear, Gooseberry, Berries, Plum,Bamboo and other herbal plants.
The Eco Park has led to ecological restoration of the area with flourishing flora and attracting exotic fauna like the migratory Siberian Cranes, biological reclamation of land and soil-stabilisation.
Glimpse of AnanyaVatika Eco-Park
Pit lake of AnanyaVatika Eco-Park
Vice President's Secretariat
Research & innovation in agriculture must reach farmers: Vice President
Zero Budget Natural Farming has potential to enhance income or profit margins for farmers;
Addresses farmers of Zero Budget Natural Farming in Andhra Pradesh
(The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that research and innovation in the field of agriculture must reach farmers. He has urged scientists and researchers to collaborate with farmers to make agriculture more affordable and viable.
Empowering farmer and strengthening agriculture would help in developing rural India, said the Vice President while interacting with farmers who are implementing the successful concept of Zero Budget Natural Farming at S.N. Palem village of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh today.
The Vice President said that the farming technique tested across Andhra Pradesh can be a model for sustainable agriculture as it reduces the heavy input cost on agriculture and help boost productivity. The Zero Budget Natural Farming has the potential to enhance the income or profit margins for farmers who are often under distress owing to debt, he added.
The Vice President visited the farm fields and enquired about the practice of Zero budget natural way of farming at S.N. Palem village of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. During his interaction with the farmers, he said that farming is just not a profession and added that it is a process of loving and living with nature and protecting it by means of agriculture.
The Vice President said that government has taken the initiative of doubling the farmer’s income and taking steps to ensure that it happens. Crop Insurance, providing Minimum Support Price and provide loans to farmers to invest in allied activities like poultry, diary, food processing are some of them. He called on both farmers, officials and scientists to make united efforts to facilitate farmers understand new technologies and reduce input cost of agriculture.
He has also shared his initiative on Making Agriculture sustainable and viable and explained them about the National Consultations being held at various places across the country.
Ministry of Defence
Assumption of the Office of CISC
Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, PVSM, AVSM, VSM took over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee  on 02 Mar 2021. On assumption of the coveted appointment, Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain paid homage to the Bravehearts of the nation by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. Vice Admiral Jain got commissioned in July 1982 into the Indian Navy. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College , the College of Naval Warfare  and the National Defence College . The Flag Officer is also a graduate of Jawaharlal Nehru University  and has received his Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University.
Prior to his appointment as CISC, Vice Admiral Jain has held various Operational, Staff and Command Appointments in the course of his distinguished career spanning over 38 years. He has commanded four ships including the indigenously built Destroyer, INS Mysore. His appointments ashore include Director, Naval Intelligence , Director, Foreign Liaison and Principal Director Staff Requirement at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence , New Delhi. On promotion to Flag rank, he commanded Karnataka Naval Area and the Eastern Fleet and was the Dy Chief of Integrated Staff at HQ IDS at New Delhi before taking over as the Commander-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command. For his distinguished service, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 2009, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015 and Param Vishist Sewa Medal in 2020.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
World will see a modern and powerful India through the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign - Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Patil
Freedom fighters felicitated at Aga Khan Palace, Pune
Pune, 12 August 2022
Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Patil expressed confidence that the world will see a modern and powerful India through the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. He was speaking today at the national flag hoisting and freedom fighter felicitation ceremony organized at the Aga Khan Palace, a historical heritage site in Pune. Freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to bring freedom to this country. The Central Government has organized 'Har Ghar Tiranga ' campaign to make today's young generation aware of their sacrifice and get inspiration from it. Therefore, through this campaign, the nectar festival of freedom will be celebrated in a real sense, Patil said.
Such initiatives are being organized in 400 places in the country as a part of Har Ghar Tiranga program. Shri Kapil Patil said that a sense of national pride will be spawned through this activity. He also appealed to everyone to contribute to shaping our country as a World leader in the future. He said, since Mahatma Gandhi lived in Aga Khan Palace during the freedom struggle, this place became an inspiration for the freedom struggle.
State Minister Shri Chandrakant Patil, Financial Adviser of Ministry of Panchayat Raj Vijay Kumar Behra, Pund District Collector Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Superintendent of Archeology Department Dr. Rajendra Yadav, Neelam Mahajan of Gandhi Memorial Society and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Speaking on this occasion, Shri Chadrakant Patil said that citizens should hoist the Tiranga for the next three days at home which inspires the country to celebrate the 'Azaadi ka Amrit mahotsav'. He appealed to respect the flag during this period. Mr. Chandrakant Patil also assured that the government is committed to solve the problems of freedom fighters and their families.
M.Iyengar/M.Pange/PM
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